Treatment for neurological conditions is perhaps the single most active area of emerging stem cell research. Neurological diseases are often complex, and delivering therapies to the brain is much more difficult than to other parts of the body, but new treatment approaches for stroke and single-focal lesions are extremely promising in several areas.

• Cerebrovascular stroke

• ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

• Spinal cord injury

Treatment for cerebrovascular stroke is one of Cascia's two principal research programs for cellular therapies and is discussed in more detail in a separate section that can be accessed from the menu above.

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

ALS, also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease" is a degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for voluntary muscle movements. It normally exhibits itself in patients over age 50 and presents as difficulty in breathing, swallowing, and speech. As the disease worsens patients become dependent on mechanical ventilators and other artificial means of life support.

A number of studies have been performed on treating ALS with stem cells. All authors reported that stem cell treatments were safe and well-tolerated, but with highly variable results. One study reported that patients improved versus the preoperative state when treated with stem cells, while others reported a slowing in the rate of decline or minimal benefit.

The evidence suggests that the cell preparation, quantity, and route of administration may account for the difference in results. Investigators that reported the best results delivered the cells into the spinal cord at the level of the first and second cervical vertebrae following laminectomy while those reporting more modest results injected cells into the spinal column at the thoracic level. Based on the limited evidence available, a high dose of freshly harvested cells delivered into the bulbar region may be the best strategy for obtaining good results.

At present there is no consensus on the best way to treat ALS, and use of cellular therapy in most settings remains experimental.

Spinal cord injury results in loss of motor control below the site of injury. Many such injuries are incurred by younger persons, which mean a loss of mobility for most of their adult life.

The conventional wisdom is that once severed the spinal cord is beyond repair; this assumption has now been thoroughly refuted. Progress has been made in treating both acute and chronic spinal lesions although this remains an extremely challenging indication, especially for chronic injuries. Once scar develops on either side of the lesion, axonal regeneration becomes nearly impossible without surgical revision.

A number of studies have had successful results following surgical interventions, and at least one through an infusion alone without surgery. Patients with chronic spinal cord injuries improved on the ASIA scale one or two categories, although no patient achieved full restoration of motor functions.

Patients who have undergo surgical revision of the scar tissue followed by cellular therapy have exhibited some of the best results.  Interventions aimed at repairing the spinal cord with cellular therapy at the time of injury may well be the most desirable alternative.  Cascia believes its rapid preparation method may represent an attractive alternative to cultured cells for these patients.